NFL Notes: Roethlisberger has injured thumb

PITTSBURGH — Another week, another injury for Ben Roethlisberger.

Roethlisberger's right thumb injury "is pretty painful," he said Thursday, but the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback is hopeful it won't severely affect his throwing in Sunday's key AFC North game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The injury follows injuries to both knees that kept Roethlisberger out of four games. Coach Bill Cowher also said Roethlisberger "tweaked" his ankle during a 26-7 loss to Indianapolis on Monday night, but that injury was not listed on the team's first injury report of the week.
Roethlisberger said the thumb injury is painful enough that trainers designed a protective device so he could throw in practice.

"It's a little sore, but we're going to try and see if we can get by with it," said Roethlisberger, listed as probable. "A couple of contraptions hopefully will help it."

Asked how and when the injury occurred, Roethlisberger said, "I can't go into the extent of the injury, but it is pretty painful and it's not something that's fun to have."
Cowher downplayed the injury after practice.

"Everything's fine. There's no need to go into detail," Cowher said. "He's ready to play Sunday."
Roethlisberger may have played in both Steelers playoff games last season with an injured thumb, though neither he nor the team confirmed it. However, TV cameras caught Roethlisberger clutching his thumb in visible pain during a playoff game against the Jets in which he threw two interceptions.

Asked after that game about a thumb injury, Roethlisberger said, "I'm not going to make excuses."

Roethlisberger, 18-2 as an NFL regular-season starter, returned from a three-week layoff after knee surgery to go 17 of 26 for 133 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions against the Colts.

Roethlisberger isn't the Steelers' only injury worry.

Left tackle Marvel Smith (ankle) is out, which means rookie Trai Essex will be responsible for protecting Roethlisberger's blind side as the left tackle. Essex was held out of the Steelers' first nine games before playing extensively the last two games.

Another rookie, untested Chris Kemoeatu, is working at both guard positions during practice.
ESPN suspends Irvin for one week
DALLAS — Michael Irvin said he has been suspended by ESPN for one week for not telling the network about his arrest last week, when police found a drug pipe hidden in his car during a traffic stop.

Irvin, who has maintained the pipe belonged to a friend, told The Associated Press he won't return to the air until Dec. 11. He was arrested Friday in Plano, Texas, for an outstanding warrant on an unpaid speeding ticket but was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia after police searched his car.

ESPN did not learn of Irvin's arrest until reporters began calling the network Sunday night. Irvin said he didn't tell the network about his arrest because he was afraid.

"I was just scared, hoping and praying that maybe it would go away," Irvin said. "I was told that I paid the fine and it was over. I was hoping it was over."

ESPN wouldn't comment.

Irvin, a former wide receiver with the Dallas Cowboys and a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, said he had no problem with the suspension.

"Being an employee and not giving them the information, certainly it's fair," Irvin said.
Plastic baggies with marijuana residue were found in a sunglasses case along with the pipe in Irvin's car. Irvin said he put the items there after finding them on a friend who arrived at his house in Carrollton, Texas, on Thanksgiving. Irvin said he planned to throw the items away but forgot.

Notes

• The Arizona Cardinals' top draft pick, cornerback Antrel Rolle (knee), was back at practice, working separately from the team with a target of returning Dec. 11 against the Washington Redskins. Cardinals kicker Neil Rackers pulled a calf muscle in practice and is questionable for Sunday's game at San Francisco. Coach Dennis Green said the team would bring in kickers for tryouts. Rackers kicked 31 consecutive field goals this season before he missed a 43-yarder in Sunday's home loss to Jacksonville.

• Cleveland Browns starting quarterback Trent Dilfer, slowed by sore knees, participated in team drills and remains questionable for Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Former New York Giants wide receiver Mark Ingram, 40, admitted in federal court in Central Islip, N.Y., that he laundered $100,000 for a drug dealer in 2000. The case was part of a sting run by undercover FBI agents, pretending to be trying to launder drug money. Ingram faces at least 70 months in prison.

• A Minneapolis prosecutor, Steve Tallen, said he hopes to decide within two weeks whether misdemeanor charges should be brought against members of the Minnesota Vikings for their antics during a boat party in October. The Hennepin County sheriff's department has determined that felony charges were not warranted.
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